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One, he goes into Tuesday night's Champions League qualifying play-off worth a minimum of £13.3million without his ace in the pack, Philippe Coutinho. No resolution appears close after the refusal of last week's transfer request in light of Barcelona's persistent courting. Two, he arrived in Germany with serious questions over his coaching ability for the first time since taking this job. His defence did not stand up to scrutiny at Watford and the blame is being laid at his door.

Whether it was rehearsed defiance or wilful ignorance, Klopp genially manoeuvred the conversation and had locals laughing knowingly. Deflective and diversionary. 'The board are 100 per cent clear on it (Coutinho). There is nothing else to say,' he said. 'If they say they will bid then whatever, we don't want it. Then it is a clear message.

'We don't want money, we want to invest in the team and have the best team because we have our aims and dreams. I have the player from August 31 at the latest, again, or when the back issue is sorted.'

Jordan Henderson effectively claimed the players should forget about him, too. For now, at least, given the enormity of Tuesday night.